Adjustable trigger bit

ABSTRACT

An adjustable trigger bit mechanism for training and reducing injury to mouths of horses having a pair of plate elements, a rotatable rod mounted from the plate elements, and a trigger element supported from the rod so that that the trigger element engages with the horse laterally between the jaw bone for affecting substantially maximum control by the adjustable bit apparatus.

United States Patent 91 n l 1 3,815,326

Christensen June 11, 1974 ADJUSTABLE TRIGGER BIT [76] Inventor: Franklin Christensen, Box 1276, f 'fi Mame Chadron New 69337 Ass1stantExam1ner-J. Q. Lever Attorney, Agent, or Firm-M1segades, Douglas & Levy [22] Filed: Dec. 14, 1972 [21] Appl. No: 315,041 [57] ABSTRACT An adjustable trigger bit mechanism for training and 52 US. Cl. 54/8 reducing injury to mouths of horses having a P of 51 Int. Cl B68b 1/06 plawelemems, a rotatable rod mounted from the 58 Field of Search 54/7 8 9 Plate elements and a trigger element-Supported from the rod so that that the trigger element engages with [56] References Cited 7 the horse laterally between the jaw bone for affecting UNTED STATES PATENTS substantially maximum control by the adjustable bit a aratus. 2,012,705 8/1935 Bergen 54/8 pp 2,810,250 1 /1957 Smith 54/7 3 Claims, 4 Drawing Figures ADJUSTABLE TRIGGER BIT CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED DATA The present invention is an improvement invention over the following prior art which is of background relevancy only:

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159,077, P. Casey; 367,416, 1. N. Lilly; 441,505, Orendorff; 576,502, .I. D. Warfel; 1,012,464, J. T. Smith; 1,188,309, 13. Omoto; 2,804,740, M. H. Newman; Pat. No. 2,854,800, G. C. Strawhorn; Pat. No. 2,931,154, H. Sauter.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION its application between the jaw bones where the most control is present.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION An object of the present invention is to provide a simple, improved and effective means for constructing a new hit constructed as a trigger mechanism engaged to be applied between the jaws of the horse to effectively a provide greater control of the horse.

A further object and advantage of the invention is to provide an improved and adjustable trigger bit mechanism that engages laterally under and applied between the jaw bone of a horse to provide improved mechanical means to affect substantially maximum control by use of projection means in the form of a flattened metal ring and a tie metal ring distal thereto for receiving a harness element.

Another object and advantage of the invention is to provide a uniformly usable mechanism assisting a rider of the horse to possess improved control and operation of a horse.

An additional object of the invention is to provide a bit mechanism having a mounting means for a rotatable rod and carrying thereon .a harness-receiving structure and a ring that is urged upon the horsedirectly between the jaw bone to maximize ease in control of the horse and also having the entire means so constructed to avail for sides of the mouthpiece for keeping the corners of the mouthpiece fromworking into the horses mouth.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWING The above and other objects and advantages of the invention will become apparent upon full consideration of thefollowing detailed description and accompanying drawings in which:

FIG. 1 is atop perspective view showing essential features of the preferred embodiment of the bit according 'to a preferred embodiment of the invention;

FIGS. 2A and 2B are a side view of the mechanism comprising the trigger element shown in FIG. 1; and

FIG. 3 is a top perspective view showing a modification of features of the preferred embodiment but capable of displaying the best mode of using the invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS Referring now to the drawings therein shows an ad justable bit apparatus 10 as shown in FIG. 1 comprised of mouthpiece side pieces 12, 12 connected by a mouthpiece 14 such as a bar or rod of metal. The side pieces 12 are constructed of approximately sized metal rods welded or formed in such a way as shown so that a harnesshead strap keepers l6, 16 may be engaged therewith.

A pair of. plate or flat elements 20, 20 constructed of strap iron is welded to extensions 22, 22 from the side pieces. The plates have pairs of bolt-receiving holes 26, 26, 26, one of which is shown receiving rotatable hollow rod 30 having threaded bolt 32, extending through the rod 30, as shown in FIG. 2. 1

The sides of the bit include the extensions 22, 22 for keeping the corners and side pieces 12 of the mouth piece from working into the horses mouth. The bent portion extensions 22, 22 extending inward and rear ward from the side pieces l2, 12 fit the size of the horses jaw and make for a lighter bit and leave nothing for the bit to catch on.

To guard and maintain the bridle reins and rope from catching, a rounded or bent rod 36 is positioned and weldedin place at the rear of the bit, being shown welded to the end of each side of the bit.

To balance the positioning of the adjustable bit apparatus 10 of the invention, the pair of harness head strap keepers 16, 16 may be constructed to take conventional or other size widths of leather strap and one positioned or placed in the back or to the rear of the mouthpiece 14. I

The rotatable rod 30 has a set of dissimilarly oriented metal rings and one is shaped as being a flattened metal ring 40 to which is structurally joined with the other ring shaped constructed as a tie metal ring 42 at the upper-most end of the arrangement for receiving a har ness strap'or element 44 (FIG. 1). 1n assembling the rotatable rod 30, it is positioned in alignment relative to a selected pair of holes 26 and the bolt 32 is passed through it. A hardware nut 48 is secured on the bolt end opposite head 52. If desired, a self-locking nut can be used; or similarly, a nut-and-key arrangement can be used. I

It is within the purview of the present invention to construct the bit in Shetland pony sizes, essentially the same invention but in smaller and corresponding dimensions, and is similarly interchangeable with a Franklin Hachamore bit made for Shetland ponies.

It is to be noted that when using the bit of theinvention, the trigger element should extend from about onefourth inch below the horses jaw for best results. The bit works best on most horses if it is level and this is accomplished with the strap between the trigger and throat latch. When one can just barely place the bit on over a horses lower lip without sufficient difficulty, the

adjustment is found to be about correct. If not, then make the adjustment by moving the bolt 36 and hollow 30 rod assembly back.

The Christensen Trigger Bit is designed for use by the trainer or the ridder who likes a good stop and a fast rein on his horses. This bit also will discourage runaways and buckers, it is good in roping horses and makes cutters stay back. There has recently been one used on a runaway Shetland which couldnt be held by an experienced adult. This pony was 9 years old. After 3 weeks with Christensens Trigger Bit, control was sufficient that one could switch to a more conventional or other bit.

ADVANTAGES OF THE TRIGGER BIT When pressure is applied to hit, the mouth piece does not turn over like cheek bits do. It just squeezes and releases. There 'is nothing below the horses mouth to catch on. The horse can eat or drink without the bit touching the ground. The trigger which is described above is interchangeable with a Franklin Hachamore bit, if desired. One Trigger and one pair of reins is all you need for two bits. This bit does not hurt ahorses mouth for all the work is done back behind of the mouthpiece.

The Trigger which is described is not to be confused with Easystops or other Hachamore mechanisms because it works in a different place. All other mecha nisms in the past work on the outside of the horse s jaw, but the Trigger Bit of the invention works between the jaw bones where the most control is.

In the preferred embodiment of the invention, there is 2 inches of leverage on this bit which will give more control than 9 inches of leverage control on any other bit used and will not and does not hurt the horses mouth. The Trigger should not have more but an inch or so for control. The bit of the invention works on and controls a lot of different kinds of horses with different bad habits. There is no chain or leather chin straps on this bit, and it does not pinch corners of the mouth. The top of trigger may be covered with rubber, sheepskin, leather, plastic or used bare.

It may appear that use of this bit will cause a horse to lower his head. If he gets his head too high, the trigger starts to work with just the weight of the bridle reins. It also stops a horse from throwing his nose up and down. He also stays quieter, nothing pinches him. An'example, of use of the bit is for the man who has a mean stallion at breeding time. Justsnap a line into the ring, wave the line a few times and he will pay attention. It may appear this bit does not give a good impression the first time it is used. It takes 2 or 3 days for a horse to get the feel of it. From then on he just gets better. Another example of use is for a horse that was hard mouthed. He had a poor rein and a bad stop. In 2 days he is a different horse. He is 8 years old and had worked poorly all his life.

It has been found that this new type of bit gives excellent control of a horse or mule, whether it has a hard mouth and is difficult to control, or has a tender mouth which would cause it to flinch or jump if the reins are jerked or pulled too hard.

The construction and use of this bit provide for a bit that operates by pressing up under the chin' instead of within the mouth, as most bits do. There is a straight bar in the mouth, but the control is exerted when the reins are pulled, causing the trigger to pivot so that the end opposite from the end on which the reins are attached presses on the chin of the horse in the space between the lower jaw bones.

The width of the trigger can be varied, and the sides of the bit and mouthpiece can be made with strap iron. The size of the mouthpiece can vary from 4 to 5% inches in width. The different widths of the mouthpiece cause a different width in the trigger. The hollow rod and bolt assembly 36 can be used with a Hackamore 60 having no mouthpiece 14, such as shown in FIG. 3. This is to show that the trigger is interchangeable and can be used regardless of the type of bit in the mouth.

The trigger bit of the invention is very humane when used with the mouth piece. The action of the trigger when working by itself is a factor by itself. It causes the horse to lower his head, the rider does nothing. For cold weather, the trigger can'be put in the Franklins nose band. Then you have a Hackamore bit. This takes the cold iron out of a horses mouth.

It is also within the purview of the invention to provide that the tie metal ring 42 may conveniently be made and shaped in the form of a triangle of comparable size and dimension to the ring so that an apex of the triangle conjoins the rod much in the manner as does the tie metal ring 42, and so that the base of the triangle is essentially and substantially parallel to the rod 30. In

this manner, the strap or element 44 which fits into the ring (or triangle) would be more apt to stay properly positioned therein as desired, and as shown in FIG. 1 when the triangle is used.

In conclusion, the bit of the present invention is one carried by the horse, and the trigger floating as it does performs its function with ease without making a coldjawed horse. This bit will work on cold-jawed horses or buckers because it works in a new and improved fashion.

Additional embodiments of the invention in this specification will occur to others and therefore it is intended that the scope of the invention be limited only by the appended claims and not by the embodiment described hereinabove. Accordingly, reference should be made to the following claims in determining the full scope of the invention.

What is claimed is:

1. An adjustable bit apparatus comprising:

a pair of plate elements constructed of strap iron;

a series of two or more drilled holes spatially disposed along a centerline taken along a longitudinal dimension;

rod means disposed between the-pair of plate elements to positionally displace the pair of plate elements in fixed relation;

a rotatable rod placed through a pair of a series of said drilled holes, said rod having threaded portions at the ends for receiving a self-locking nut thereon for holding the rotatable rod in place respecting axial displacement, yet allowing for free dom in axial rotation thereof;

a trigger element centrally disposed and supportably mounted upon the rotatable rod so that the trigger element engages with the horse between the jaw bones for effecting substantially maximum control by the adjustable bit apparatus, said trigger element having a tie metal ring at the uppermost end for receiving a harness element and a flattened metal ring at the lowermost end for being urged upon the horse directly between the jaw bones;

a rod extending outwardly and upwardly from an upper portion of each of said pair of plate elements; and

a mouthpiece having a substantially straight bar forming a bit connecting the upper ends of extended rods.

2. The invention of claim 1 wherein sides for said 

1. An adjustable bit apparatus comprising: a pair of plate elements constructed of strap iron; a series of two or more drilled holes spatially disposed along a centerline taken along a longitudinal dimension; rod means disposed between the pair of plate elements to positionally displace the pair of plate elements in fixed relation; a rotatable rod placed through a pair of a series of said drilled holes, said rod having threaded portions at the ends for receiving a self-locking nut thereon for holding the rotatable rod in place respecting axial displacement, yet allowing for freedom in axial rotation thereof; a trigger element centrally disposed and supportably mounted upon the rotatable rod so that the trigger element engages with the horse between the jaw bones for effecting substantially maximum control by the adjustable bit apparatus, said trigger element having a tie metal ring at the uppermost end for receiving a harness element and a flattened metal ring at the lowermost end for being urged upon the horse directly between the jaw bones; a rod extending outwardly and upwardly from an upper portion of each of said pair of plate elements; and a mouthpiece having a substantially straight bar forming a bit connecting the upper ends of extended rods.
 2. The invention of claim 1 wherein sides for said mouthpiece keep the corners of the mouthpiece from working into the horse''s mouth.
 3. The invention of claim 1 wherein a rod loop has its ends extend into connective relation with an upper portion of each of said pair of plate elements, and having a protective element extending substantially throughout the entire length of the loop to minimize abrading and chafing. 